Regarding the March 27 article "Visa overstayers rally to maintain privileges after immigration revision": At a time when we need people in Japan who are contributing to society, why would we want these people to leave?
We need a reasonable immigration system that considers the plight of children (if families are broken up) as well as people's roles in this society as contributors — not "overstayers." It makes no sense to criminalize people who are doing no harm to society.
In all actuality, they're helping to keep our bloated government afloat with their taxes and helping to keep the demography of this country balanced by adding young people. I wish our lawmakers and bureaucrats would consider the purpose of laws (to minimize the ill effects of activities) rather than just try to enforce them in a narrow sense. Laws don't exist only to be followed.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.